How do you differentiate # f(x) =2xcos x #?
1 Answer
Jan 24, 2016
Explanation:
Use the product rule, which states that the derivative of a product of functions, like
#f'(x)=g'(x)h(x)+g(x)h'(x)#
Here, we have
#g(x)=2x#
#h(x)=cosx#
The derivatives of each of these are
#g'(x)=2#
#h'(x)=-sinx#
Plug these both back in to find
#f'(x)=2(cosx)+2x(-sinx)#
Which can be simplified to be
#f'(x)=2(cosx-xsinx)#